Example of how NOT to protect your neighborhood

[DHJenkins]

Not to stray completely off topic, but instead of playing posse, the HOA should have recommended everyone get a car alarm. Granted, their effectiveness in a parking lot is low, but they work very well on a quite residential street. Even a $5 blinking LED can cause a thief to move on to the next car.

 

[Seenterman]

Their both stupid but attempted murder seems a little steep. I'm not sure what I would do in this case.

Certainly not follow teen aged girls around the area, but certainly not go looking for possible predators with my only daughter and a gun. Once pissed off father found stupid patrol guy, patrol guy should have apologized for being creepy and following 4 girls around and it should have ended there but instead someone got shot, I would place blame for this at who ever drew first. Doubtful they knew each other had guns, but one being "the big man" decided to draw his, and then someone got shot for it.

Morons, both of them.

 

[CoRoMo]

These HOA types often seem to get a bit overzealous these days, and in many cases like to pretend that they are the neighborhood police!

A coworker of mine (a fellow police officer) told me of an incident that happened to him a few years ago within our jurisdiction, where he lives. Apparently my friend was taking his trash out in the evening before collection day, at which point he was confronted by a lady who identified herself as an HOA representative. She told him that his trash wasn't allowed to be placed at the curb until a couple of hours later, or something along those lines. He disagreed with her understanding of the issue, and told her that he would be leaving his trash by the curb. At this point the lady apparently produced a badge, and stated that she was a "sheriff", and demanded that he comply with her request.

I'm the president of my subdivision HOA, and I can attest to the hysterical nature of these types of people who want nothing more than to rule over their neighbors. It sickens me. We've had residents request that the HOA usurp the duties of the Sheriff's Dept., the Dept. of Public Safety, the City Counsel, the BLM, the local utility companies, and on and on. It's silly, but what is moreso, is that some of my fellow board members hold posses similar delusions.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Couple O' Observations:

A. Yes, blame to go all the way around.

B. But regardless of what happened leading up to the shooting, *IF* it happened like the DA alleges (shootee puts gun on ground, kicks it away, then shooter shoots shootee), without any additional significant facts, then it's clearly unjustifiable use of deadly force, and the charge is appropriate.

C. But I believe about 30% of what a DA's office says, and about 2% of what cops say, so who knows if they're full of it on the shootee laying down his gun first. I'll believe it when it's proven in court.

 

[2RCO]

I'm sorry but if I was on the Jury -I'd find Campos not guilty but point out he was being a moron.

Look at it from his side 1. Creeps are following your daughter
2. Creeps are Armed
3. Creep Cocks his gun.

If I'd been stupid enough to get into this situation I might have fired first as well. A reasonable person who feels there life is threatened by a likely degenerate would reasonably defend themself against that degenerate.

Campos should have called the cops and let them handle it. Skipping that step doesn't solely make him guilty of attempted murder. All his actions after the initial stupidity could be found reasonable.

The HOA guys caused this whole incident and that's all she wrote.

 

[Six]

3. Creep Cocks his gun.

Creep drops his gun and kicks it away you mean?

 

[lawboy]

Couple of dumb asses. Serbeck is so stereotypical neighborhood commando it is pathetic. Took his self-appointed role as neighborhood guardian way too seriously and, unfortunately, misunderstood that role grossly. Campos got a little hot headed and forgot that the best defense of his kid was to get her ass into the house and keep her there, call the cops and let her give a description to THEM. Two citizens in the street, facing off with guns?! Are you freaking kidding me?! Is this a Q. Tarantino movie?

 

[30mag]

Dudes shouldn't have followed the girls.
Dude shouldn't have went looking for them.

No one is innocent in this situation that I see.
I don't know about attempted murder, but... guilty of lack of common sense.

 

[CoRoMo]

Posted by 2RCO
if I was on the Jury -I'd find Campos not guilty

Serbeck exited his vehicle with his own firearm, holding it upside down by the barrel. He then placed the gun on the ground and kicked it away.

That's when Campos fired two shots; one going through Serbeck's shoulder and exiting through his back, leaving him paralyzed.

If that turns out to be the stone cold truth, would you still say 'he done no wrong'? Or is your assessment a little premature?

then shooter shoots shootee

Say that fast three times.

 

[Seenterman]

Serbeck exited his vehicle with his own firearm, holding it upside down by the barrel. He then placed the gun on the ground and kicked it away.

That's when Campos fired two shots; one going through Serbeck's shoulder and exiting through his back, leaving him paralyzed.

Yea I didn't read that bit until just now, the first article I read said Serbeck heard Campos cock his gun and then Serbeck fired.

If that's not true and the above turns out to be true, then yea Campos should be charged with attempted murder. Freaking idiots!

 

[mljdeckard]

He was arraigned today, and his bail lowered.

I also think attempted murder might be a bit steep. When we shoot defensively, we shoot to stop their actions. They will have to show that he actually wanted the guy to die. Aggravated assault matches better. (IANAL. Yet.)

His family is crying all over TV about what a great guy he is. I think he's probably a great guy with a grave misunderstanding of the law.

 

[Erik M]

This is why Campos was charged with attempted murder:

Campos then pointed a gun at Serbeck and told him to "put his hands up." But Serbeck was also armed.


That's because the statement says Serbeck "exited his vehicle with his own firearm, holding it upside down by the barrel. He then placed the gun on the ground and kicked it away, disarming himself."

That's when prosecutors claim Campos fired two shots; one going through Serbeck's shoulder and exiting through his back, leaving him paralyzed.

The district attorney's office filed charges despite Campos' claim of self-defense.

Wow, I it only took about a week for some fan boy paralegal at the DA's office to think up a story to posion the minds of the public by using the media outlets to play out a damaging scenerio to the defense. Funny how none of the original stories note this evidence and I also find it awkward that the DA's office would tip its hand before the trial even started.

 

[2RCO]

Wow, I it only took about a week for some fan boy paralegal at the DA's office to think up a story to posion the minds of the public by using the media outlets to play out a damaging scenerio to the defense. Funny how none of the original stories note this evidence and I also find it awkward that the DA's office would tip its hand before the trial even started.

Interesting it goes from Cocks his gun to kicks it on the ground.


I don't buy the newer version. Serbeck would have left the gun holstered or in the car otherwise.

That alone would give me reasonable doubt.

 

[DPris]

It's not over yet, and there are still some things to work out relative to the exact sequence of events.
Remember- perception plays a very important part and perception does not have to be reality.

Denis

 

[Erik M]

I hope the Judge allows this is a trial to be covered by the media from within the courtroom.

 

[mljdeckard]

And there were witnesses. I think it will come out in court.

 

[chieftain]

I hope the Judge allows this is a trial to be covered by the media from within the courtroom.

Actually I hope he doesn't.

This is a worst case scenario we CCW types. For the anti-gunners this is the type of case that they will beat us to death with. I would like this to disappear, publicity wise.

Go figure.

Fred

Stupid should hurt

 

[Lucky]

Campos is responsible for every bullet that leaves the barrel. Where did the second shot go?


Cities are full of trash.

Lawyers lie.

Parents are protective of their children.

Newspapers are often wrong.

And people on forums are too dull to recognize prosecutors of a case are a biased source to get information of said case from.

Everything else is in doubt.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

This is exactly why I would never buy a house in an area with a HOA. Too many busybodies telling you what you can and cannot do with your own property. Why any freedom loving American would like to move into a neighborhood with so many restrictive rules is beyond me.

 

[chieftain]

This is exactly why I would never buy a house in an area with a HOA. Too many busybodies telling you what you can and cannot do with your own property. Why any freedom loving American would like to move into a neighborhood with so many restrictive rules is beyond me.

And exactly how is a HOA, different from a city? I have lived in some cities that are more tight assed than some HOA's.

Go figure.

Fred

Stupid should hurt

 

[LightningJoe]

So how did the father know the HOA guys had guns? Did they draw? Or did they draw because the father already had his gun out? Whoever drew first started the gunfight.


If the father approached the HOA guys with a gun in his hand, they should have retreated and called 911; the father would be in jail on a weapons charge and maybe for assault. If the HOA guys drew first, then they got what they asked for.

 

[CTGunner]

Why would HOA guys be following around teenage girls at night? Did they really think they were behind the rash of criminal activity in the neighborhood? Both sides made serious errors in judgment but to me following around young girls at night while posing as neighborhood watchmen is as suspect as it gets. Either way imo they were trying to find trouble where it didn't exist.

 

[campbell]

Sounds like the HOA needs to look to the north for hints on a proper vehicle.

http://www.slcpd.com/getinvolved/mobileneighborhoodwatch.html

 

[DawgsFan_07]

Too much machismo, too little communciation, and too little thought led to tragedy.

-If for some reason you HAVE to do something besides strictly minding your own business, clearly identify yourself to other people and avoid looking like a criminal or being a jerk.

-Readily identify yourself to other people.

-Don't go on attack mode, which it seems both guys did, unless you're sure you have to.

Anyways, that's what seems pertinent to me.

 

[MisterMike]

Well, I just have to step in and defend HOAs--I'm the VP of one, and have been a board member for about five years. I live in a community of nice townhouses, and we do all the stuff you'd expect--get the grass cut, have the snow plowed, repair the roofs, etc. Also, we occasionally play the role of enforcer--getting junk cars towed, asking people to shut down a plastics factory in their basement (a true story), and generally dealing with nincompoops. As with most of life's endeavors, the Golden Rule applies--treat others as you would like to be treated yourself, and it all goes pretty smoothly.

I can't imagine anyone associated with our HOA ever playing cop like this. Not only is it stupid from a personal perspective, but it could put the HOA on the hook for a lawsuit if you blow it and do something stupid.